Suppose the war had ended differently—suppose a negotiated had peace had left the Iroquois and the French in possession of vast territories just west of the Appalachians—would America's future have been different?

Would Americans have pushed for independence within a decade?

Would the French have supported the Patriots?

Would the British have been willing to jeopardize relations with its North American colonists by increasing their taxes?

Would a French presence have been accepted indefinitely?

What might the French have done to strengthen their grip on these territories?